About the role
NCT’s overriding purpose is to ensure that children, young people and their families, receive high quality support and care. As a non-executive Director, you will support an environment that enables and supports our workforce to be innovative, creative and effective to improve outcomes for children and young people.

There is a wide portfolio of expertise and knowledge on the board. To strengthen the Board, we would like to hear from applicants who have local connection/ understanding of Northants as well as experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Commissioning
• Volunteering arrangements
• The Voluntary Sector as providers of services
• Workforce Planning
• Local Communities in Northamptonshire
• Media and communication

For more information or an informal conversation about the role please email: colin.foster@nctrust.co.uk and they will agree a mutual time to call.
Please note that interviews will take place on 17th October.
What will you be doing?
The board is responsible for: Setting the strategic aims of NCT, overseeing its management, and holding the executive team to account. It is the responsible body for the performance of NCT in terms of delivering its legal and contractual obligations and achieving improved outcomes for children and young people in Northamptonshire.
As well as meeting the requirements of a director you will need to demonstrate a high level of integrity reflecting the Nolan principles of public service.
You may be required to be on one or more committees of the Board. As a director you will need to ensure the effective running of NCT, including effectively contributing at Board and committee meetings as required and supporting good governance. You will be provided with the relevant terms of reference on your appointment to a committee.
The nature of the role makes it impossible to be specific about the maximum time commitment, and there is always the possibility of additional time commitment in respect of preparation time and ad hoc matters, however, it is anticipated that you will spend at least 20 working days per year on the work of NCT.

THE TERM OF THIS APPOINTMENT WILL BE FOR A FIXED THREE-YEAR TERM.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
About you

We are looking for someone who brings the following skills and qualities to the role:

• Have a good understanding of Northants or a local connection.
• Have high standards of integrity and probity and support the Chair and the other directors in instilling the appropriate culture, values, and behaviours in the boardroom and beyond.
• Be innovative, creative, and willing to share ideas and work alongside other member of the board and key stakeholders.
• A good understanding of local government and partnership working.
• Be willing to devote time to developing and refreshing your knowledge and skills.
• Understand financial and non-financial performance information and ensure systems of risk management are robust and defensible.
• Experienced in constructively challenging and helping developing strategy as well as the ability to scrutinise performance in meeting objectives.

We do require a supporting statement that covers how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education.
About us
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is owned by North and West Northamptonshire Councils but managed by an independent board of Executive and Non-Executive Directors, to ensure operational independence. The predecessor authority, Northamptonshire County Council delegated its children’s social care statutory functions and transferred the provision of children’s social care services to Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) on 1 November 2020.

Our benefits

• You will receive an annual fee of £10,000 per annum, for approximately 20 days’ work per year and reasonable travel expenses will be paid

On an ongoing basis, we will make arrangements for you to develop and refresh your skills and knowledge in areas which we mutually identify as being likely to be required, or of benefit to you, in carrying out your duties effectively

• Have a good understanding of Northants or a local connection.
• Have high standards of integrity and probity and support the Chair and the other directors in instilling the appropriate culture, values, and behaviours in the boardroom and beyond.
• Be innovative, creative, and willing to share ideas and work alongside other member of the board and key stakeholders.
• A good understanding of local government and partnership working.
• Be willing to devote time to developing and refreshing your knowledge and skills.
• Understand financial and non-financial performance information and ensure systems of risk management are robust and defensible.
• Experienced in constructively challenging and helping developing strategy as well as the ability to scrutinise performance in meeting objectives